Your routes around Oxford

Oxford doesn’t have many dedicated bike paths. The Marston Ferry Road and a few sections of the (otherwise horrible) ring road have dedicated tracks, and the river and canal paths are cyclable. But other than that, quiet cycling largely means residential roads.

You can’t dodge the climb of Headington Hill, but you can avoid the busy road. Oxford University has opened up a permissive route across the University Parks; combined with recent improvements to Jack Straw’s Lane, it makes a lightly-trafficked quiet route to the city centre. The route can be impassable when the Cherwell is in flood: check with this useful page.

Getting across the city centre without hitting a pedestrianised street takes experience. From east to west, follow Sustrans routes 51/57 via Broad Street. The highlight is New College Lane, a delightful hidden lane round the back of colleges. Take care at Magdalen Bridge and the Plain, where all the roads from East Oxford converge.